Screen will not light up unless external video is connected

Question

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1-1.5 GHz

Model A1046 or A1095 / 1280x854 screen resolution

118вопросов Показать все

rdklinc @rdklinc

Репутация: 32,4к

RDKL, Inc.

207

156

62

Опубликовано: 5 янв 2012 г.

Опции

Screen will not light up unless external video is connected

Hi! I've got an odd 15" aluminum that will not show video on its own screen unless it is connected to external video, in which case it comes on, and the external screen works fine as well. I've tried cycling through the external display modes, and booting up in each one. I've tried resetting the PMU, which works, but the machine's PRAM will not reset -- it just sits on a black screen endlessly. It's a shame, because I think a PRAM reset would probably fix the issue. I've tried another topcase/keyboard. I've tried having a hard drive installed vs no hard drive.

Occasionally, just randomly, the screen will light up with no external video attached, but it seems to be about one of 10 attempts, and like I stated, randomly, and not in response to anything in particular.

I'd hate to conclude that this is a bad board, and it seems like there must be a fix. It seems as if something is "stuck". Anyone know how to reset the PRAM without the keyboard? There are power and PMU power-on pads, but none for PRAM that I know of.

Thanks

Отвечено! Посмотреть ответ У меня та же проблема

Это хороший вопрос?

Да Нет

Оценка 6

Добавить комментарий

3 Ответов

Выбранное решение

mayer @mayer

Репутация: 685,2к

MacHale Enterprises

3,4к

1,1к

2,6к

Опубликовано: 5 янв 2012 г.

Опции

Just a shot in the dark but may work, try disconnecting the PRAM battery, AC adapter and main battery and then reconnecting the PRAM first. I would think that that should clear the PRAM.

Был ли этот ответ полезен?

Да Нет

Оценка 5

3 Комментариев:

Awesome, thanks Mayer -- that did it! 30 seconds of the PRAM battery disconnected, and the screen now comes on regularly. I totally forgot this machine had a PRAM battery!

It's weird though -- while the battery was disconnected, I could reset the PRAM and it would chime, but when I re-connected the battery module, it wouldn't reset anymore (although the screen still comes on just fine, I assume because the PRAM has been reset). I assume there must be a defect with this particular battery module, so I'll have to try another one. That's a first for me with PB15s! Anyway, thanks again!

5 янв 2012 г. из rdklinc

Awesome, it's nice to get a working answer for one of our own tough questions ;-)

5 янв 2012 г. из mayer

UPDATE: It's doing it again, and with a different PRAM battery module. Oh well, I guess it might be the board after all. I might try another screen assembly. At least changing the PRAM battery seemed to work for a while, and was a good troubleshooting step.

6 янв 2012 г. из rdklinc

Добавить комментарий

Awesome, thanks Mayer -- that did it! 30 seconds of the PRAM battery disconnected, and the screen now comes on regularly. I totally forgot this machine had a PRAM battery!

It's weird though -- while the battery was disconnected, I could reset the PRAM and it would chime, but when I re-connected the battery module, it wouldn't reset anymore (although the screen still comes on just fine, I assume because the PRAM has been reset). I assume there must be a defect with this particular battery module, so I'll have to try another one. That's a first for me with PB15s! Anyway, thanks again! — rdklinc
Awesome, it's nice to get a working answer for one of our own tough questions ;-) — mayer
UPDATE: It's doing it again, and with a different PRAM battery module. Oh well, I guess it might be the board after all. I might try another screen assembly. At least changing the PRAM battery seemed to work for a while, and was a good troubleshooting step. — rdklinc

Bernie @bernie36975 Репутация: 1,2к 8 30 · Answer 1 · 2012-01-06T10:11:14-07:00

Bernie @bernie36975

Репутация: 1,2к

8

30

Опубликовано: 6 янв 2012 г.

Опции

If you get it to power on and you get video to its own LCD, try just putting it in sleep instead of turning it off. Sleep mode uses only 3-4% of battery power overnight. Perhaps the LCD will remain normal when you next wake it up.

Был ли этот ответ полезен?

Да Нет

Оценка 0

2 Комментариев:

The problem is not that it doesn't recover from sleep or go to sleep, but that the screen is black when the machine is first powered on.

6 янв 2012 г. из rdklinc

Yes, I meant that since you didn't power it off when you made it sleep, the LCD will be normal when you wake it up.

8 янв 2012 г. из Bernie

Добавить комментарий

Carl @carl41364 Репутация: 1 · Answer 2 · 2012-07-09T08:51:22-07:00

Carl @carl41364

Репутация: 1

Опубликовано: 9 июл 2012 г.

Опции

I believe, if it's like mine, that the problem is a severed wiring harness to the display at the upper right corner of the computer case. I have the same issue and this computer is known for an issue of a bad hinge. I knew, and perhaps you felt it too, the a slight "crunch" in the area of the hinge every time I opened and shut the lid was that it was gnawing on the wiring and sure enough, in time, the screen went blank similar to yours? I'm looking for a way to replace the wiring harness but not much success. I've found the part for as cheap as $15 but no instruction as for replacement. If you find this may be your issue and come upon instructions, please let me know.

carartone@gmail.com

Был ли этот ответ полезен?

Да Нет

Оценка 0

1 Комментарий:

ok, if this is the problem, I found the fix here:

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1-1.5 GHz Display Data Cable Replacement

unless you're a computer repairman, throw your computer away.

9 июл 2012 г. из Carl

Добавить комментарий

PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" 1-1.5 GHz

Screen will not light up unless external video is connected

3 Ответов

Добавьте свой ответ